In a statement Saturday, former NBC "Nightly News" anchor Tom Brokaw, who is featured in the ad reporting on Gingrich's 1997 ethics investigation, said, "I am extremely uncomfortable with the extended use of my personal image in this political ad. I do not want my role as a journalist compromised for political gain by any campaign."Follow the Ticker on Twitter: @PoliticalTicker

NBC said Romney's campaign did not seek permission before using the clip.

The NBC legal department sent a letter to the campaign demanding the removal of all NBC News material from their advertisements. NBC said similar requests have gone out in the past when other campaigns "inappropriately" used their material.

A source with the Romney campaign said they are in the process of reviewing the letter, but they believe the clip "falls within fair use."
- CNN Political Producer Rachel Streitfeld contributed to this report.

soundoff(62 Responses)

Dewey Cheatum N. How

I am tired of how television companies complain against people using a brief clip of the company's material when the television company decided to put it on public television. As long as copyright is not being violated, stop complaining and if you really want to make sure that it does not get aired by someone else, then don't broadcast. I am quite sure that the world would get along just fine without the NBC.

January 28, 2012 10:51 pm at 10:51 pm |

S.B. Stein E.B. NJ

I can't blame NBC or Browkaw because the comercial has them in it. This could be seen as a placid endorsement of the Romney campaign. Why shouldn't they protest? The Romney campaign has better com up with a good reason why that piece of tape is being used without some disclaimer.

January 28, 2012 11:15 pm at 11:15 pm |

lil

newtromney thinks he can do what ever he wants

January 29, 2012 12:44 am at 12:44 am |

yneemee

Brokaw isn't a journalist – he's a political hack

January 29, 2012 12:45 am at 12:45 am |

T'sah From Virginia

►NBC wants Romney camp to stop airing ad◄
Dang, Romney's dishonesty is making a lot of people mad
ginGRINCH complains and now Brokaw of NBC
There is NOTHING left of these candidates for US TO SEE!!!

Obama 2012!!

January 29, 2012 01:17 am at 1:17 am |

JT

Doesn't Romney have the legal right to air the ad? Although, he could probably win with out it.

January 29, 2012 03:38 am at 3:38 am |

Tyler Durden

EGO... Get a grip, Brokaw... it could've been a muppet head or your talking head reading from the teleprompter... you are not the news... nobody cares... get over yourself... the point of the ad is that Newt is dirty, it has nothing to do with your purty little mouth... Doesn't matter anyway, PRESIDENT Obama will trounce these two imbeciles... he hasn't even started campaigning yet and he is already winning in the polls...

Come on Brokaw, we all know that you just don't want to be associated with a lying flip flopper.

January 29, 2012 06:13 am at 6:13 am |

El Gordo

What total BS.
Do news programs ask permission before digging up old or embarassing clips on their targets?
Its a wonderful thing to be able to sit on the sidelines and not be part of the frey, by claiming *I'm a Journalist*. But when its in their own best interest, there is no hesitation to offer an opinion or comment. What does Mr Brokaw expect when his professin includs such liminary journalists like Rove and Palin.
You said it, its on tape, its fair use.
Note, I am not a Romney supporter, and also not a supporter of the maiable set of rules journalists go by either.

January 29, 2012 06:52 am at 6:52 am |

Jerry

NBC is a joke! They will crucify anyone but the president and his lap dog cronies; but are deeply offended by a Republican presidential candidate's ad. Objective journalism?! Most people at NBC don't even know what that is!!!

January 29, 2012 08:15 am at 8:15 am |

diridi

Listen, people are sick and tired of adversary advertisements.....o.k, These idiots are fighting for POTUS. it is the cheapest commodity in the world??????None of the republicans are worth a dime...idiots.